sahib

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There were some, as it happened, who ventured to cross swords with him, but the result taught them that this stern-faced, black-bearded giant of a sahib was their master every whit as much as was Edwardes The spring of the fateful year 1857 now arrived, and with it came a desire in Nicholson's mind to exchange his post in the Punjaub for another more remote.

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Definitions (3)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. noun Used formerly as a form of respectful address for a European man in colonial India.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (1)

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Examples (50)

  • There were some, as it happened, who ventured to cross swords with him, but the result taught them that this stern-faced, black-bearded giant of a sahib was their master every whit as much as was Edwardes The spring of the fateful year 1857 now arrived, and with it came a desire in Nicholson's mind to exchange his post in the Punjaub for another more remote. —  John Nicholson The Lion of the Punjaub
  • I asked No, my lor--sahib," said Salaman; "he will not have them bathed, and he has torn off all the bandages, and he made me guide his finger along them Dirty finger Yes, sahib, it is a very dirty finger. —  Gil the Gunner The Youngest Officer in the East
  • "Go on and tell us of these hill-men, or you won't get that yarn finished before they return, in which case we may never have the chance to hear the end of it The sahib is always impatient," answered the Arab gravely; then he continued, quite heedless of Denviers' suggestion: "On the nights when the ruler went not to Klan Hua's cell, the latter gathered there several of the other bonzes, and they sat darkly plotting till morning came. —  The Strand Magazine, Volume V, Issue 28, April 1893 An Illustrated Monthly
  • It can be of no use to you and, if I do happen to meet a native upon the road, it may come in very handy The blessing of the Great One be upon you, sahib, and take you safely to camp. —  Through Three Campaigns A Story of Chitral, Tirah and Ashanti
  • Then all had to put their umbrellas down on passing a sahib, and all had to leave the side-walk on the white man's approach; not that the law compelled them to do so, it was simply a custom enforced by their masters, in the large cities as well as in the mofussil We thought it advisable at all costs to keep the coolies in a proper state of subjection. —  Ranching, Sport and Travel
 

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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Hindi sāhab, master, from Arabic ṣāḥib, companion, master, participle of ṣaḥiba, to become friends; see ṣḥb in Semitic roots.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from Hindustani sāhib, from Arabic sāhib (with initial letter sād), master, lord, sovereign, ruler, a gentleman, European gentleman, sir, possessor, owner, properly companion, associate; feminine sāhiba, mistress, lady.
 

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/ˈsɑɪb/
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